Working Systematically

The tasks in this feature are designed to encourage children to work systematically - a valuable tool frequently used by mathematicians. We would love to receive solutions from your learners. Click the 'Submit a solution' link on any live problem to find out the closing date.

Encouraging Primary Children to Work Systematically

Age 3 to 11

This article for primary teachers suggests ways in which to help children become better at working systematically.

Sort the Street

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Sort the houses in my street into different groups. Can you do it in any other ways?

Two Dice

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Find all the numbers that can be made by adding the dots on two dice.

Three Ball Line Up

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Use the interactivity to help get a feel for this problem and to find out all the possible ways the balls could land.

Growing Garlic

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Ben and his mum are planting garlic. Can you find out how many cloves of garlic they might have had?

A Mixed-up Clock

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

There is a clock-face where the numbers have become all mixed up. Can you find out where all the numbers have got to from these ten statements?

Factor Lines

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level

Arrange the four number cards on the grid, according to the rules, to make a diagonal, vertical or horizontal line.

Sealed Solution

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?

Working Systematically